The Yonder Report

Libraries in rural Texas are doing double duty as they loan books and lend telehealth expertise, as health insurance costs soar, some turn to their local Farm Bureau and rural communities are getting federal help to fix aging water infrastructure.

Telehealth is a lifesaver for aging populations in rural Texas, but experts say it shouldn’t replace in-person care, South Dakota’s ag university sees more students majoring in rangeland management and Maine improves kids’ success by embracing rural community schools.

The neediest in Missouri are watching the possible effects of cuts to Medicaid, Illinois is among several states raising alarms over AI data centers and building resiliency among teenagers is the goal of Trekkers in Rockland, Maine.

Barriers for Americans with disabilities are still common in both rural and urban communities, the expansion of detention centers across the country could hurt rural economies and deteriorating water infrastructure is costing Eastern Kentuckians.

Staff cuts at the USDA could hinder the rollout of a regenerative agriculture program, rural voters led a record-turnout in the Texas primaries, and conservationists there worry a massive border wall will spoil the Rio Grande.

Advocates for those with disabilities in Idaho and nationwide are alarmed by proposed Medicaid cuts, programs that provide virtual crisis care are making inroads in rural South Dakota and Wyoming, and the mighty bison returns to Texas.

New England’s already high electricity prices have locals concerned about proposed AI data centers, three-quarters of Montana’s school districts report decreased absenteeism due to on-site health clinics and Missouri expands its trail system.

An Illinois university is trying to fill gaps in the nationwide pharmacy shortage, Alabama plans to address its high infant mortality rate using robots in maternal care and neighbors helping neighbors is behind a successful New England weatherization program.

The crackdown on undocumented immigrants in Minneapolis has created chaos for a nearby agricultural community, federal funding cuts have upended tribal solar projects in Montana and similar cuts to a college program have left some students scrambling.

Silver mining made Northern Idaho wealthy, but left its mark on people’s health, a similar issue affects folks along New York’s Hudson River and critics claim rural renewable energy eats up farmland, while advocates believe they can co-exist.

The immigration crackdown in Minnesota has repercussions for Somalis statewide, rural Wisconsinites say they’re blindsided by plans for massive AI data centers and opponents of a mega transmission line through Texas’ Hill Country are alarmed by its route.

Training to prepare rural students to become physicians has come to Minnesota’s countryside, a grassroots effort in Wisconsin aims to bring childcare and senior-living under the same roof and solar power is helping restore Montana s buffalo to feed the hungry.

Rural Appalachia is being eyed for massive AI centers, but locals are pushing back, some farmers say government payments meant to ease tariff burdens won’t cover their losses and rural communities explore novel ways to support home-based childcare.  

Debt collectors may soon be knocking on doors in Kentucky over unpaid utility bills, a new Colorado law could help homeowners facing high property insurance due to wildfire risk, and after deadly flooding, Texas plans a new warning system.

From electric oyster farming in Maine, to Jewish descendants reviving a historic farming settlement in New Jersey and the resurgence of the Cherokee language in North Carolina, the Daily Yonder looks back at 2025.

Farmworkers’ advocates say Trump administration cuts to ag workers’ wages will deepen poverty, another effort is underway to sell off national parks and a Colorado artist is practicing civil disobedience to protest their perceived politicization.